To a solution of 4-(benzyloxy)-1-bromo-2-chlorobenzene (1 g, 3.36 mmol) in THF (10 ml) was added 2-tert-butoxy-2-oxoethylzinc chloride (13.44 ml, 6.72 mmol). Nitrogen gas bubbled through the mixture for 10 min. Pd2(dba)3 (0.154 g, 0.180 mmol) and X-PHOS (0.160 g, 0.336 mmol) were added and the resulting mixture heated at 60° C. for 50 min. The mixture was cooled, diluted with ethyl acetate (20 mL), washed with aqueous ammonium chloride (saturated, 1×15 mL), dried over MgSO4, filtered and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel Biotage 50M, using a gradient eluant of EtOAc/Hexane (0-20%) to afford the title compound. LC/MS (m/z): 333 (M+H)+.
